The décor and staff make you feel like you’re in the right place for Japanese.  The waitresses are even dressed in Japanese robes! As for the food, it was very traditional and simple – fresh, clean, served at the right temp, well cut, and well balanced. What more can ask for from the true minimalist of foods – sushi?

I am far from a sushi ‘connoisseur’. But I do recognize good sushi. Good sushi is successful in preserving the “sanctity” of EACH element, while  combining them to form the perfect bite. Mikaku did just that.  What I really appreciated about Mikaku was that the pearls of sushi rice were perfectly intact and even glossy in appearance.  But most notably, the rice was WELL marinated with the just the right vinegar/sugar/salt bite. Too many sushi restaurants neglect the rice!

The fish was fresh and cut just right.  The salmon and the yellow tail were pretty standard – melt in your mouth it did not!  The ruby red tuna was fleshy and clean, and the distinct flavor of the mackerel was the BEST complement to the tang of the sushi rice.  My favorite nigiri was the uni, which was surprisingly light and airy – almost mousse like in texture – but still had that rich coating mouthfeel.

I liken the uni experience with a childhood culinary “delicacy”.  My mom would mix rice with a little butter and soy sauce, and place an “over easy” egg on top.  I’d cut the egg with my spoon; watch the egg yolk pour onto my rice and take heaping spoonfuls in my mouth.  That is kind of what uni reminds me of. The richness of egg yolk, the and the silky creaminess of butter that just mixes together with the rice and soy sauce as you bite into it….BUT I digress.

My favorite dish was the “Ika Somen” which was squid sliced to resemble udon noodles served with soba dipping sauce. The fun was in the anticipation of a regular udon noodle that translated to the multiple textures of raw squid – chewy, slippery and noodle like at first, then a bit rich and creamy as you bite into it. Good stuff!  As for the real zaru soba, the noodles were perfectly cooked, but the dipping sauce was slightly bland to my taste buds – *which I of course amended by adding a little soy sauce and wasabi.

The kink of the night came with the dessert order.  After ordering one Red bean ice cream and CONFIRMING this with the waitress – she brought out two dishes which I thought odd, but assumed she had just kindly separated the portion for me and my dad. No such luck! She brought out the check, and there were 2 red bean ice creams charged at $3.95 a piece for two tiny homemade but rock hard scoops!  …A sad ending to an otherwise delectable meal….

Will I think of Mikaku again when I’m 30 minutes away? Likely not. But if an unexpected wind blows me into Herndon, it just may emerge from the recesses of my memory.

Mikaku – 3065 Centreville Rd.(McLearen Rd.)Herndon, VA 20171/ Phone: 703-467-0220

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